Month: December 2019

Leicester City set to sign an “On budget Arjen Robben” in the first week of the January transfer window

Leicester City are, according to a good source, set to announce the signing of Hull City flank midfielder Jarrod Bowen. He is described as an “On budget Arjen Robben”, and will accordingly be joining Leicester City in the first week of the transfer window. We have today upgraded his status to “HOT”, as he looks close to a move.

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Leicester City have over the last three transfer windows been linked with Bowen and he is the name that appears to have been short listed among a number of targets by Leicester City as the one to get in.

Leicester have, if you can talk about struggles, maybe lacked a bit of quality out wide and used James Maddison and Ayoze Perez a lot in a wide role, which is not what they prefer. The lack of goals from Harvey Barnes is a dilemma as he often gets into the positions to score, but seldom does.

Jarrod Bowen scores goals, and his tally is phenomenal so far. He has scored 51 goals in 117 league appearances for Hull City. We believe that this move is very close and to be pushed “over the line” soon.

He has so far scored 15 goals in 22 league games for Hull this season, and last his tally was 22.  An exciting  player who we believe will be at King Power sometime during January. The fee could be close to £10million. Some sources believe it will be a bigger fee, but with the current contract situation at Hull and Bowen being available on a free in the summer this looks as a possible scenario.

Reports suggests that Aston Villa and Newcastle United are in the chase, but a link to Leicester City will not go away and it’s a fact that Bowen is on a shortlist of targets.

Don’t miss out on our “transfer rumours” update, as we closely follow the market.

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The ultimate update on Leicester City possible in’s and out’s this January!

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers fooled most of us with his massive change in tactics and player selections for the game v. West Ham. A great win away with a number of those fantastic regulars absent could again start the rumor mill rolling.

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Ricardo Pereira who was given a rest yesterday is heavily linked with a number of clubs seeing, as always, Manchester United in the chase, but Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich are also named among the admirers.

Andy King recently returned from a difficult loan spell at Rangers not really given a proper chance by Steven Gerrard but only been a cover as he has been at Leicester City for the last seasons. TCF believe that King will seek a new loan move away, with clubs in close range, such as Coventry City and Nottingham Forest among those ready offer regular first team football.

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Rachid Ghezzal could be on his way back to Leicester in January but with a recent interest from Serie A club Atalanta, it could be a short return and again a new adventure giving the Algerian international a chance to compete in Champions League.

Adrien Silva and Islam Slimani are both doing well at Monaco playing regularly and being part of a team currently 7th in the French League. Not believed to be on the move somewhere and would see out their loan period at Monaco.

Talks about James Maddison and his possible move to Manchester United in a £80million transfer could probably be on, but not before the summer. Ben Chilwell is currently in demand as well as the England international is a target for Chelsea.

Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans are both also seen in the headlines being attractive for other clubs. Soyuncu seen as a possible Arsenal and Man City target, with Evans attracting Pep as well.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers are looking to strengthen, but as he has said himself, he is happy with his current squad and after last nights display who wouldn’t be.

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Filip Benkovic could open space for a new defender and an attacking option could be considered. Benkovic is closely linked with a loan move to Derby and that could be possible, open space for a defender, but with “Captain Morgan” just doing his business whenever called up on, you would probably not consider replacing him just yet.

TCF would have liked Zlatan to join, but he has decided to join AC Milan, a perfect addition who could come of the bench and play the odd game until the end of the season. A player with special skills, who could be similar.

Leicester are linked with a number of names, and Hakan Calhanoglu is back in the mill. The AC Milan midfielder looks though as a strange move with that area well covered, but again a link is a link.

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Fenerbahce forward Vedat Muriqi is a name to look out for. He is notorious goalscorer and has done great in Turkish football over a number of years. His scoring ratio is “very good” and he is currently linked with Leicester. Muriqi is playing internationally for the nation of Kosovo.

TCF is not yet considering any links “hot” and they will be marked in the list when we feel they are. But a number of players are close to be described in that category with Jarrod Bowen from Hull to be considered if newspapers comes back linking him with Leicester City.

Here is our new and updated fresh list of possible targets and linked players.

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In both camps, West Ham United

Picture: Brian Deane / Tony Cottee

Brian Deane is of course to mention, talking about players in both camps, joining West Ham from Leicester back in 2003, Tony Cottee certainly is another, real legend at West Ham being an iconic figure at the club, also doing his business brightly with Leicester winning the Worthington Cup 20 years ago.

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Keith Robson is one under the radar, a player that turned up at Leicester in the early 80’s, being in the squad that managed promotion to the first division under Gordon Milne. Robson had a past at Newcastle, West Ham and Norwich, probably most known for his performance against Anderlecht in the European Cup winners Cup final in 1976.

Former coach and player at Leicester Chris Powell also had a spell with West Ham United, with most of his career played for Charlton Athletic. At West Ham he was a bit in his prime at Leicester he started to break records for being the oldest player to make different appearances in different cups and league’s.

David Speedie made a bit of a trip around England after leaving Chelsea, and had spells at Leicester at West Ham among those moves. Nolberto Solano is another former fox with a life with The Hammers.

David Martin who had almost a season loan spell at Leicester City in the League One winning season 2008/09 made a surprising switch back to his boyhood club in front of this season after a number of seasons with Millwall and MK Dons. The 33 year old has made a number of appearances in the Premier League this season.

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Leicester signed the Republic of Ireland international David Connolly from West Ham back in 2004/05, with him having a short spell in both camps. He was a proven goalscorer and Leicester made a great profit on that move selling him on to Wigan Athletic.

Matt Upson was on top of his game when playing at West Ham, joined Leicester late in his career and injuries stopped him from being involved enough to gain a first team place. The former England international spent that first season back in the top flight (2014/15) at Leicester City.

Andy Impey played for both Leicester and West Ham, joining during the MON period at the club. He spent about six seasons at Leicester. He started out at Queens Park Rangers and that was were he served the longest.

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A favorite at Leicester City was Mike Newell, both a record signing and a record sale at the club. He never played at the highest level with Leicester, but had that joy with Everton and Blackburn. He had a short loan spell at West Ham during his days with Birmingham a few years after leaving Leicester.

Another player that we might have forgotten is John Pantsil, joining Leicester during the Svennis years coming in from Fulham. He also played for West Ham and today the assistant manager at Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa.

A list of players in both camps,

  • Goalkeepers
    • David Martin
  •  Defenders
    • Chris Powell
    • Nolberto Solano
    • Matthew Upson
    • John Pantsil
  • Midfield
    • Keith Robson
    • Andy Impey
  • Forwards
    • Tony Cottee
    • Brian Deane
    • David Connolly
    • Les Ferdinand
    • Paul Kitson
    • Mike Newell
    • David Speedie
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West Ham 1, Leicester 2, positives and negatives, player ratings and match report

Christmas looked finished with the line-up Brendan Rodgers presented for the game, with nine changes from the game v. Liverpool, only one of them, Jamie Vardy, was an easy explanation, congratulation to Jamie and his family.

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But maybe fans and “experts” underestimate the quality of the Leicester City squad. There are a lot of quality and early on Kelechi Iheanacho showed that he has the will to get into those positions that can give the team an edge.

West Ham might have been in a bit of a shock as Brendan Rodgers fielded something no one could or would have predicted, Pellegrini himself made seven changes, so it was a bit of a “scramble” and up in the air on points.

Leicester got their first big chance after 12 minutes when Kelechi Iheanacho forced Fabiansky to foul him and a penalty was rewarded. Surprisingly Demarai Gray went forward to take the penalty and it was a poor shot and saved by Fabianski.

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Leicester then just continued to perform really solid with Papa Mendy and Hamza Choudhury in the center of midfield, Marc Albrighton doing his brilliant stuff out wide and Ayoze Perez being in his favorite position showing what a great player he is, played in his best position.

Despite a bit of control you had to wait to the 40th minute before Leicester scored, and all credit to Ayoze Perez who just managed to keep that ball inside the field heading it back to Kelechi Iheanacho who scored comfortably and Leicester were 1-0 up.

A bit sad to see that it was just for a few minutes before West Ham managed to get one back just before the half time whistle blowed.

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2nd half was a bit of a long run, but the goal scored by Demarai Gray assisted by Ayoze Perez made the difference between the two clubs, and with a solid performance by the back four that showed so much maturity and calmness that made it steady and controlled.

A positive surprise, and a number of players that showed they are not question marks but can do a difference and contribute. All credit to Brendan Rodgers who had balanced his team perfectly, despite making so many changes.

As we speak, Manuel Pellegrini got the sack after this performance, not easy to swollow a defeat against a Leicester City side that had made so many changes and in real didn’t play their best team tonight, not to take away any credit to the players out there.

  • Positives:
    • Ayoze Perez shining in his favorite position
    • Kelechi Iheanacho and Demarai Gray both scoring
    • A great team performance, great to watch
    • James Justin and Christian Fuchs playing solid and controlled
    • Hamza Choudhury, not sub him anymore, he is brilliant
    • Winning away, playing with possession and good balance
    • Getting back on winning ways after a difficult period
    • Staying 2nd not getting “nervous” after losing against Liverpool and Man City
    • Getting that team perfectly balanced, a clever act
  • Negatives:
    • 🙂
  • Player Ratings: Schmeichel 7. Justin 7, Fuchs 7, Evans 8, Morgan 7, Mendy 6, Choudhury 8, Perez 8, Gray 7, Iheanacho 7, Albrighton 7, Subs: Maddison, Ndidi, Barnes

Match Stats:

  • Possession: 43 / 57
  • Corners: 5 / 5
  • Shots on target: 5 / 6
  • Fouls: 14 / 4
  • Offsides: 1 / 3
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In both camps, Manchester City

Picture: Riyad Mahrez / Paul Dickov

Riyad Mahrez showed yesterday that he still can troll the best players, turning Ben Chilwell inside out and upside down. He is a brilliant player, never underestimate him, even if we no longer can see him in a Leicester City shirt.

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Paul Dickov is a bit classic as he did spend two periods in both camps. Not many players can brag about such an act. Dickov had a bright star among Leicester City fans and his time at Man City was probably a bit more difficult as he played in teams that struggled and even played in League One for both parties.

David Oldfield is a player that had a life in both camps joining from Man City back in 1990 staying until 1995, before moving on to Stoke, Peterborough and Oxford. David, born in Australia, but playing for England at U.21 level, was a key player during the days of Brian Little, and in total playing 221 league games scoring 32 goals.

We should not forget our current goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel who started his career at Man City, but losing out in competition with Joe Hart. Both players went on to become full internationals for their countries. Kasper is still a great goalkeeper at Leicester and his contribution has been phenomenal. 318 league appearances so far and has passed the likes of Peter Shilton and Gordon Banks and chasing Mark Wallington in games played.

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Mark Robins is one of those players who have been both a Man Utd and Man City player, but in between those two stops he did play for Leicester City. Robins had a bit of a roller coaster ride at Leicester and not really settling steady for a long period at any club, but on his day a brutal goalscorer knowing how to score.

Riyad Mahrez is the latest player to have switched between the two clubs, getting a great start at Man City, winning “The Treble” with The Blues and earlier of course part of the PL winning side at Leicester. His contribution at Leicester was massive and he is starting to produce on a regular basis for Man City as well.

Jim Melrose is a player that joined Leicester from Partick Thistle back in 1980, moving on to Coventry and Man City. Melrose was seen as a possible top forward for Scotland but never played at full international level. Later a scout at Leicester City.

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Paul Cooper spent most of his career at Ipswich Town, winning the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup while at Portman Road. In his later years of football playing he had spells at both Leicester City and Manchester City, he was picked up from Birmingham City reserves early on and battled Laurie Sivel for the first team gloves while at Ipswich.

Ben Thatcher joined Leicester from Spurs and after just a season moved on to Manchester City were he did play three seasons, before moving south again to London and Charlton Athletic, before ending his career at Ipswich Town.

Former England international Steve Howey had a short spell at Leicester City joining from Manchester City, but injuries stopped his progress. Neil Lennon and Gerry Taggart both started out at Manchester City but had just brief spells in the first team before being shipped out and later joining Leicester City.

A list of players in both camps,

  • Goalkeepers
    • Paul Cooper
    • Marton Fulop
    • Kasper Schmeichel
  •  Defenders
    • Ben Thatcher
    • Spencer Prior
    • Lee Marshall
    • Steve Howey
    • Michael Ball
    • Gerry Taggart
  • Midfield
    • Riyad Mahrez
    • David Oldfield
    • Neil Lennon
    • Nicky Summerbee
    • Danny Tiatto
    • Don Revie
  • Forwards
    • Paul Dickov
    • Wayne Clarke
    • Ashley Ward
    • Mark Robins
    • Jim Melrose
    • Kelechi Iheanacho
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Leicester 0, Liverpool 4, positives and negatives, player ratings and match report

Expectations were ok before this game, but looking at the line-up it was like looking at a team that was set up to dominate against Liverpool, something that looked a bid bold as Leicester were playing the World Champions.

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It was one team on the field from start, with Liverpool just going straight to attack and luckily Kasper Schmeichel managed to keep a clean sheet in the opening minutes. Leicester didn’t have a single shot on target in the first half and it was a bit of an embarrassment.

It was a game between the two top teams and Leicester playing at home, and we should probably expect more, but all credit to Liverpool they showed the difference in quality and points, just a magnificent display and to be honest the score could have been higher and to see just 1-0 at half time was a great relief.

The goal, a header from Firmino A well placed Alexander-Arnold cross, was just headed over the line by the Brazilian and to be frank, no Leicester player did give the Liverpool defender any pressure when he placed his pass.

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Leicester came out in the 2nd half with a bit of sparkle and they managed to get into the Liverpool defense quite often, and when Marc Albrighton came on things started to work better. He is clever passer Albrighton and brings something different to the table, and suddenly Leicester were attacking more.

Caglar Soyuncu was very unlucky to get his hand in the way of the ball and when that penalty was given and James Milner scored, it looked like the light went off in the Leicester City team.

Liverpool just cut Leicester City up with a knife, then hammered in two more goals before they left King Power Stadium showing who’s the best team in England at the moment and it’s a bit tragic to be left so “naked” and “exposed” in the worst way possible in front of your own fans.

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You could of course criticize Brendan Rodgers and say this and that, but it might not be the right time to do just that. But again everyone is entitled to an opinion and we have of course our thoughts and thinking about what could have been done differently.

To sum it up, here are our short notes

  • Positives:
    • Kasper Schmeichel, keeping Leicester in the game for as long as he could
    • Caglar Soyuncu doing some great defending, really top class, sadly that penalty made it a difficult night
    • A bit of momentum and optimism just before Liverpool scored their 2nd goal
  • Negatives:
    • Brendan Rodgers again lining up to offensive, Barnes and Preat, instead of Albrighton and Choudhury
    • Sadly Maddison and Tielemans isn’t up for it
    • Strangely Gray is not getting minutes and Iheanacho is not even on the bench
    • Evans also a bit off the pedal
  • Player Ratings: Schmeichel 6. Pereira 6, Chilwell 4, Evans 5, Soyuncu 6, Ndidi 6,  Barnes 4, Vardy 6, Tielemans 4, Praet 5, Maddison 5, Subs: Albrighton, Perez, Choudhury

Match Stats:

  • Possession: 38 / 62
  • Corners: 2 / 8
  • Shots on target: 0 / 2
  • Fouls: 4 / 7
  • Offsides: 6 / 3
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